"I need a New PC!" 2011 Thread of reading the OP. Seriously. [Part 2]
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Of course I had to be the last post on the page. For the new page:
Buying an LCD computer monitor (France here), and I'm at a complete loss as to what I should buy. But first, my requirements.
Required:
Would be nice:
It seems LCDs are getting incredibly cheap and there are hundreds of models, but I'd like to find one that strikes most of these bullet points, and so far I haven't. Input lag is the annoying one here, especially when it comes to playing in sub-native resolution (remember, planning to play my Wii on it).
I trust Computer-GAF will come to my rescue.
[EDIT] About input lag and upscaling: is there any way to know what a monitor's performance is gonna be like? Let's take panels for instance: TN seems to have the fastest reponse time (and lowest input lag I presume) but does automatically mean it'll perform better in non-native resolutions than, say, an IPS panel? Or is the culprit found elsewhere?
Buying an LCD computer monitor (France here), and I'm at a complete loss as to what I should buy. But first, my requirements.
Required:
- 150-350 (400 if there's no other choice)
- 20-24"
- 1080p
- 2 HDMI ports OR 1 HDMI + 1 DVI
- Relatively minimal ghosting (not asking for near-CRT-like quality)
- AS LITTLE input lag as possible (intend to use my Wii on it)
Would be nice:
- 1 VGA input
- 1 Component input, BUT scratch that if the speakers are completely useless. Which brings me to...
- Slightly above netbook-quality speakers and/or audio port. Not too demanding.
It seems LCDs are getting incredibly cheap and there are hundreds of models, but I'd like to find one that strikes most of these bullet points, and so far I haven't. Input lag is the annoying one here, especially when it comes to playing in sub-native resolution (remember, planning to play my Wii on it).
I trust Computer-GAF will come to my rescue.
[EDIT] About input lag and upscaling: is there any way to know what a monitor's performance is gonna be like? Let's take panels for instance: TN seems to have the fastest reponse time (and lowest input lag I presume) but does automatically mean it'll perform better in non-native resolutions than, say, an IPS panel? Or is the culprit found elsewhere?
LordCanti said:
The case was a suggestion from a friend, but I really like the look of the second one you linked to. I thought I had linked to the 7200 RPM drive, but oops. Anyways, I'm wary about Samsung drives since one of my friends has gotten burned repeatedly.
As for the PSU, I'm keeping my options open for SLI. If I can get another graphics card for relatively cheap (which happens occasionally on campus).
I went a little nuts on the MoBo because I wasn't sure what I would need (I'm a programmer, not a hardware guy, and I don't do low-level stuff, so I'm really not familiar with the mobo reqs). I'll find another few and ask if they're good.
I'll check out those graphics cards you linked, but one problem I have is that I'm not sure how to tell if everything will fit.
Which is why I come here to ask questions. XD
Althane said:
The ASUS model would probably fit if you were planning to never SLI. I doubt it would fit in SLI though. Honestly, I only suggest SLI as a solution to a problem (for instance, if you have a 2560x1600 monitor, and nothing short of SLI will run it) and not as a "well, I may SLI one day" option. Unless your time frame for a second card is short, chances are that newer games will get SLI profiles for newer cards first, and your 570 SLI rig will be stuck without the drivers that would take advantage of the 2 GPU's. If you do decide on SLI, look for a dual slot cooler model (like the Gigabyte model I linked to, or this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130684) which should fit in SLI on a standard ATX mobo.
For mobo's, this is the low end for SLI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583) and the board you selected is probably the high end (for dual SLI). There are plenty of models in between like the ASrock in the OP (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229) and the Gigabyte model here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128498) If you want an extreme OC on the CPU, or Tri-SLI, you can spend $200+ on a mobo, but for everyone else, a mobo in the $100-$150 range is more appropriate.
For what it's worth, I've been using Western Digital hard drives for over a decade, and I've never had any problems. Any piece of hardware can arrive DOA, or be faulty though.
gokieks said:
Ask customer service to price adjust for you.
Dries
Member
Hey guys, is this thread also for random PC hardware/software questions? Sorry if it's not, but I got a question about installing new drivers for my graphics card. I got a laptop (yeah, I know there's a laptop thread, but I figured I'd get more responses here) with a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 and I haven't installed any drivers for a long time. On the ATI site I find two seperate drivers and I'm unsure which one I need. Or can I just install both? One isn't even a megabyte and the other is 60 megabytes, that also confusing me. These are the two:
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon_vista-32.aspx
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-32.aspx
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not too good with computers lol. Thanks anyway.
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon_vista-32.aspx
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-32.aspx
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not too good with computers lol. Thanks anyway.
Dries said:
The first download link on this page http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon_vista-32.aspx is the one you want.
Assuming that you have 32bit Windows 7 (or vista) of course.
Althane said:
I'd have to dig up some GTX 570 benchmarks for TW2, but if memory serves, it should be fine on high, depending on the resolution. The jump from a GTX 570 to a GTX 580 definitely isn't worth the retail cost (10-15% or so extra performance for not quite twice the price).
From a real quick google, it looks like this site got 46fps average on high, at 1920x1200 (http://www.benchmarkextreme.com/Articles/The Witcher 2 Performance Review/P3.html). I have no idea how accurate their numbers are though, so take them with a grain of salt. In their numbers, you can obviously see the jump that SLI brings, but that is due to TW2 having a profile for SLI. If the game didn't, the jump wouldn't be as pronounced.
If anyone needs more memory, Microcenter has 8gb of Kingston HyperX 1600mhz for only $20 after rebate.
I dont have my gaming PC anymore since I gave it to my brother , but Im tempted to just pick this up for a future build lol.
Its sold out online, but theres plenty at my microcenter.
I dont have my gaming PC anymore since I gave it to my brother , but Im tempted to just pick this up for a future build lol.
Its sold out online, but theres plenty at my microcenter.
gutterboy44
Member
Despite the temptation to upgrade now I need to save up for something a little more important. So it looks like it will be mid Fall before I can buy a new rig.
When does the major new hardware cycle for PC's happen normally? Would I be better off waiting till Winter or will there be some new mobo, gpu and cpu refreshes by October?
When does the major new hardware cycle for PC's happen normally? Would I be better off waiting till Winter or will there be some new mobo, gpu and cpu refreshes by October?
LordCanti said:
1920x1200 is a better resolution that I have ever, ever played in. So I think 46 FPS on average at 1920x1200 will work just fine with me. =D
Anyways, based on your suggestions and others (such as getting a SSD for an OS/common use apps), I'm changing around my wishlist into something hopefully more refined. I don't need "cutting edge" so much as "good for ~3, 4 years".
Edit: So if I'm going for a non-SLI setup, would this MoBO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131773
Be suggested over the MoBo I had previous? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730)
Just double checking, since I'm pretty sure the first linked board will be fine. And $80 cheaper. (Still planning on over-clocking my processor though)
This is what i have currently, any suggestions on what i should upgrade?
The only reason im asking is, i've starting playing black ops and it runs quite slow and not smoothly enough. Im guessing my GPU is good but the CPU needs an upgrade? Or both :0
Games i want to play currently and in the future smoothly: black ops, new cod, hard reset, dead island, the witcher 2, and ofcourse BATTLEFIELD 4
Current Setup:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
4gb ram
Radeon HD 4870
Windows 7 64bit
The only reason im asking is, i've starting playing black ops and it runs quite slow and not smoothly enough. Im guessing my GPU is good but the CPU needs an upgrade? Or both :0
Games i want to play currently and in the future smoothly: black ops, new cod, hard reset, dead island, the witcher 2, and ofcourse BATTLEFIELD 4
Current Setup:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
4gb ram
Radeon HD 4870
Windows 7 64bit
That mobo will require a full system upgrade unfortunately. You could keep that GPU around a bit longer if you want, it's still pretty powerful.kakashi08 said:This is what i have currently, any suggestions on what i should upgrade?
The only reason im asking is, i've starting playing black ops and it runs quite slow and not smoothly enough. Im guessing my GPU is good but the CPU needs an upgrade? Or both :0
Games i want to play currently and in the future smoothly: black ops, new cod, hard reset, dead island, the witcher 2, and ofcourse BATTLEFIELD 4
Current Setup:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
4gb ram
Radeon HD 4870
Windows 7 64bit
In a predicament here.
May get a 590 next month. I love my 580 but I'm worried about adding another for SLI. Because the ASUS is triple slot another would put the two cards right on top of each other. The top card's fans would be right against the bottom card with no room to breathe.
My case has really good cooling, but that still concerns me. Id see a performance increase over my single 580 while still having plenty of room to keep the card cool. All other NVIDIA display features would improve ( surround vision, 3d, phsyx etc).
Would this be a good move in my situation? Id like to make a move or wrap up this 2nd phase by launch week of Bf3.
May get a 590 next month. I love my 580 but I'm worried about adding another for SLI. Because the ASUS is triple slot another would put the two cards right on top of each other. The top card's fans would be right against the bottom card with no room to breathe.
My case has really good cooling, but that still concerns me. Id see a performance increase over my single 580 while still having plenty of room to keep the card cool. All other NVIDIA display features would improve ( surround vision, 3d, phsyx etc).
Would this be a good move in my situation? Id like to make a move or wrap up this 2nd phase by launch week of Bf3.
So with making my new PC I have most of an old PC just laying around so I figured I'd make it into an HTPC. The only thing I really need at this point is a good HDD. I'm not looking to splurge, and have no problem with ripping a few movies a week and wiping the previous off the drive (so I don't really need a 2TB drive). Any recommendations on something specific, or can I just pick up a decently sized drive and go to town?
Smokey said:
What resolution are you running that a single GTX 580 isn't keeping up?
If you are intent on doing it, I guess it isn't a horrible idea. If you can sell the 580 for $400 or so, that is only an additional $300, which is cheaper than another 580.
590's are kind of hard to come by though.
MisterNoisy
Member
TommyT said:
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB is almost always the right answer unless you need something with more capacity or an SSD. Cheap, pretty fast and good capacity
MisterNoisy said:
Thanks, I will look into that one.
Also, I have a bunch of older HDDs that came from old computers (mostly from my parents or my sister) however they're all IDE. They have a ton of pictures/whatever that I'd like to be able to give back to them. Are there any good converters, or external cases that can handle IDE to/and SATA?
They are hard to get at newegg, but from evga site I see them available quite often. I run at 1080p on a 120hz 3d monitor. Nothing give me an issue at 1080p, it's the extra stuff that I want to do. For a surround setup, thanks to NVIDIAs greed I need a 2nd card. With the 590 I could knock 3 things out with one card:LordCanti said:
1. Space
2. Run 3 monitors with one card
3. Performance increase over 1 580, and an assumed performance increase in 3d
4. Quad SLI
I picked up a Samsung T260HD awhile ago. It's equipped with 2HDMI/Component/VGA and has a built in TV tuner. The speakers are ok but you have to take into account that most LCD models with speakers are going to be shit anyway. I think the newer Samsung models these days have removed the component inputs. I believe that LG has a few models supporting it though.Kilrogg said:
If you feel like you're up to the task of making sure you have all the right profiles for games, and for creating profiles for other games that nvidia hasn't released any for, then by all means. With a 590, I don't believe you can disable SLI (which is what most people do for a huge number of games out there). Also, it's not a huge increase in performance over a 580 at all.Smokey said:
Finally, it doesnt matter if the cards only have a few mm of breathing room between them. They are designed to work in that fashion.
cackhyena said:
It can happen. More often than not, it's a stick that simply isn't compatible with the particular mobo and not a dead stick. It all depends on the warranty period (I'm not sure what it is with G.Skill RAM). When I'm going to upgrade, I wait for sales and buy the parts individually (except for the CPU and Mobo, which I buy bundled at Microcenter). I've yet to get bitten by a DOA component, but that can obviously happen.
I would wait if I were you. RAM prices aren't going anywhere.
Smokey said:
Aah, I see. The extra performance would definitely be helpful in 3D. That is one of the main reasons I haven't bothered getting a 120hz monitor.
Assuming you get a good price for your GTX 580, $300 additional bones isn't terrible for the performance increase you'd be likely to see in 3D mode.
edit: Ugg, even with a GTX 590, the 3D performance isn't stellar, is it? http://3dvision-blog.com/geforce-gtx-590-vs-2x-gtx-580-sli-in-plain-3d-and-stereo-3d-mode/
mkenyon said:
How is it going to intake cool air, if it only has a few mm of clearance? Does it suck in air from the sides?
Smokey said:
A 590 is not going to run cool no matter what...it's shoving 2x 580s in the space of a single card. You've got the FT02, right? I'm pretty sure that'll fit a second DirectCu II (the only thing is the card will probably cover up motherboard ports, making them less accessible. Look at 1366 SLI setups, when cards were 2 slots apart...there was no room for the fans either and they were fine. Maybe just buy from a store that accepts returns, in case it doesn't work out. If it doesn't work out, then you can move to a 590.
Check this review:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-gtx580-directcu-ii-sli-review/6
Looks to be using a 650D, maybe? I'm sure it'll fit just fine...you should have 3 slots of space left on your motherboard anyways. Look how sexy it looks! There's plenty of room to breathe, as well.
Those DCUII cards are an open design, it's not a closed box like the push/exhaust type reference cards.LordCanti said:
Also, Smokey, if you're going this balls deep into performance territory, and you seem like you enjoy throwing money at your system, you should just get your system wet.
Is it worth it to spend the extra $200 though? The dual GTX 580 setup doesn't seem that much more capable than a single GTX 590 in 3D mode.
If he can sell his GTX 580 for $400, and get a GTX 590 for $700, he's only out $300 additional dollars instead of nearly $500.
Obviously if money is no object, the dual GTX 580 solution is going to offer better performance.
If he can sell his GTX 580 for $400, and get a GTX 590 for $700, he's only out $300 additional dollars instead of nearly $500.
Obviously if money is no object, the dual GTX 580 solution is going to offer better performance.
Here, this SLI setup is using the bottom 2 PCI-E slots. Your triple slot Asus setup would end up using the bottom 3 slots. It'll work out just fine:
(those are 5970...you won't need to remove the bottom fan like they did)
I can assure you the dual GTX 580 setup will be faster, cooler, and quieter than a GTX 590. It will also look fucking awesome.
Well, the GTX 590 is so loud and hot that I think it's worth it. Furthermore, no hassle of selling 2nd hand gear.
The Asus GTX 580 is $470 on NewEgg. GTX 590 appear to be out of stock everywhere and are hard to get a hold of. $720 is the cheapest I can find. He wouldn't be saving that much money, and he'd be losing out on 15-20% performance anyways, even when discounting the moderate overclock you could get out of the 2x GTX 580 setup.
(those are 5970...you won't need to remove the bottom fan like they did)
I can assure you the dual GTX 580 setup will be faster, cooler, and quieter than a GTX 590. It will also look fucking awesome.
LordCanti said:
Well, the GTX 590 is so loud and hot that I think it's worth it. Furthermore, no hassle of selling 2nd hand gear.
The Asus GTX 580 is $470 on NewEgg. GTX 590 appear to be out of stock everywhere and are hard to get a hold of. $720 is the cheapest I can find. He wouldn't be saving that much money, and he'd be losing out on 15-20% performance anyways, even when discounting the moderate overclock you could get out of the 2x GTX 580 setup.
Confused101
Member
I jumped on this and so did my brother. We won't be finishing our builds for another couple of months but this is awesome.TommyT said:
TheExodu5 said:
I have no idea how accurate these numbers are, but this site saw anywhere from 0-12% gain over the GTX 590 for a GTX 580 SLI setup (in 3D mode, at 1920x1080) http://3dvision-blog.com/geforce-gtx-590-vs-2x-gtx-580-sli-in-plain-3d-and-stereo-3d-mode/
Selling old gear isn't that difficult. I'm able to afford this hobby (PC gaming), mainly because I make a reasonable amount shuffling my audiophile collection (DAC's/Amps/Headphones, etc) around second hand.
If money isn't tight, there is no reason not to go with the GTX 580's. Like mkenyon said though, Smokey is going to be balls deep after this purchase.
Dunno about water. I already have a h70 cooler and that's enough water inside my system for now lol. Also full water setup seems like it'd be a bitch to maintain.mkenyon said:
@Exodu5
Correct I have a FT02 with the p67 pro mobo. If you all say the space would be fine I would just get another dcii 580. It would be cheaper anyway and would be more powerful than a 590. Could keep my PSU as well (ax850) for my setup.
Yall haven't steered me wrong yet for advice so if I should just add another 580 ill do that. But does newegg accept a return if it didn't work out?
The Teachinator
Banned
Smokey said:
Wait for the 600 series which is probably a few months off.
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